A former West Columbia, S.C., baseball coach has been accused of stealing more than $8,000 from the non-profit Pineview Dixie Youth Baseball organization.
Jeffrey Berry, 41, was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent.
According to WIS10, the executives from the PDYB met with a sheriff's deputy on Aug. 31 about fraudulent credit card charges on the organization's debit card.
The newly elected president and treasurer found 78 fraudulent charges on the debit card totaling $8,617. All of the charges were made at the Walmart on Old Barnwell Road from January 2022 until July 2023, the report says.
An arrest warrant alleges the charges were not made on behalf of the organization. Berry's attorney said the charges were an accident.
“This is an unfortunate situation that we believe was an honest mistake,” Berry's attorney Seth Rose said. “Jeff has never been in trouble with the law his entire life and any accidentally misappropriated funds will be refunded in full. Jeff is a family man and has lived a good life. We ask for there to not be a rush to judgement at this time.”
Berry was given a personal recognizance bond of $3,000 on Nov. 30 and was released.
